Discover the rugged beauty of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park.
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next George H. Crosby Manitou State Park adventure.























The rugged wilderness trails and primitive hike-in sites at George H. Crosby Manitou State Park aren’t for the faint of heart, but if ultimate seclusion and killer views pump you up, this place couldn’t be more worth it. Waterfalls pour into volcanic canyons and rare mammals roam free here on the north shore of Lake Superior (moose, deer, bears, and wolves, to name a few).
Bensen Lake and the Manitou River emerge gloriously through dense swaths of spruce & fir, all largely undisturbed per the wishes of the park’s namesake—George H. Crosby was a mining magnate who donated the land on the condition that it wouldn’t be developed on too much. It was Minnesota’s first backpacking-only site, and has been intentionally maintained as a haven for backpackers all these years. Pack up and git over there!
The best time to visit George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is during the summer and fall when the weather is ideal for hiking and nature viewing. Winter brings a serene beauty, perfect for snowshoeing, though travel may be more challenging. Spring's thaw can make trails muddy and less accessible.